Daily Prayer and/or Reflection for Advent
Note: because our visitors live across both hemispheres and in different time zones, we put up each prayer a day in advance.
Note: because our visitors live across both hemispheres and in different time zones, we put up each prayer a day in advance.
23rd December: Friday in Advent Week Four
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
PSALM 28:7 (NIV)
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
PSALM 28:7 (NIV)
Thursday in Advent Week Four
Loving God,
It is growing in my heart:
An awareness and gratitude of your constant love for me;
Like the sun rising in the East
to warm and comfort my life
and to bring new growth.
Thank you for these weeks of prayer.
In the spirit of the season
my waiting, my patience,
feels sacred.
Bless my heart with generosity
and make me ready to receive you.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Courtesy of Creighton Online Ministries.
Loving God,
It is growing in my heart:
An awareness and gratitude of your constant love for me;
Like the sun rising in the East
to warm and comfort my life
and to bring new growth.
Thank you for these weeks of prayer.
In the spirit of the season
my waiting, my patience,
feels sacred.
Bless my heart with generosity
and make me ready to receive you.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Courtesy of Creighton Online Ministries.
21st December: Wednesday in Advent Week Four
Blessing for the Longest Night
Jan L. Richardson, a United Methodist pastor, is an artist, writer, retreat and workshop leader, and spiritual director. Her Blessing for the Longest Night can be found on her website, "The Advent Door".
This week, in addition to preparing for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, many congregations will offer a “Longest Night” or “Blue Christmas” service. Usually held on or near the Winter Solstice, this gathering provides a space for those who are having a difficult time during the holidays or simply need to acknowledge some pain or loss they are carrying in the midst of this season of celebration. For you who are offering or participating in such a service, and for all who struggle in this season, I wish you many blessings and pray for the presence of Christ our Light, who goes with us in the darkness and in the day.
Blessing for the Longest Night
All throughout these months
as the shadows
have lengthened,
this blessing has been
gathering itself,
making ready,
preparing for
this night.
It has practiced
walking in the dark,
traveling with
its eyes closed,
feeling its way
by memory
by touch
by the pull of the moon
even as it wanes.
So believe me
when I tell you
this blessing will
reach you
even if you
have not light enough
to read it;
it will find you
even though you cannot
see it coming.
You will know
the moment of its
arriving
by your release
of the breath
you have held
so long;
a loosening
of the clenching
in your hands,
of the clutch
around your heart;
a thinning
of the darkness
that had drawn itself
around you.
This blessing
does not mean
to take the night away
but it knows
its hidden roads,
knows the resting spots
along the path,
knows what it means
to travel
in the company
of a friend.
So when
this blessing comes,
take its hand.
Get up.
Set out on the road
you cannot see.
This is the night
when you can trust
that any direction
you go,
you will be walking
toward the dawn.
—Jan Richardson
from The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief
© Jan Richardson from The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief. janrichardson.com
Blessing for the Longest Night
Jan L. Richardson, a United Methodist pastor, is an artist, writer, retreat and workshop leader, and spiritual director. Her Blessing for the Longest Night can be found on her website, "The Advent Door".
This week, in addition to preparing for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, many congregations will offer a “Longest Night” or “Blue Christmas” service. Usually held on or near the Winter Solstice, this gathering provides a space for those who are having a difficult time during the holidays or simply need to acknowledge some pain or loss they are carrying in the midst of this season of celebration. For you who are offering or participating in such a service, and for all who struggle in this season, I wish you many blessings and pray for the presence of Christ our Light, who goes with us in the darkness and in the day.
Blessing for the Longest Night
All throughout these months
as the shadows
have lengthened,
this blessing has been
gathering itself,
making ready,
preparing for
this night.
It has practiced
walking in the dark,
traveling with
its eyes closed,
feeling its way
by memory
by touch
by the pull of the moon
even as it wanes.
So believe me
when I tell you
this blessing will
reach you
even if you
have not light enough
to read it;
it will find you
even though you cannot
see it coming.
You will know
the moment of its
arriving
by your release
of the breath
you have held
so long;
a loosening
of the clenching
in your hands,
of the clutch
around your heart;
a thinning
of the darkness
that had drawn itself
around you.
This blessing
does not mean
to take the night away
but it knows
its hidden roads,
knows the resting spots
along the path,
knows what it means
to travel
in the company
of a friend.
So when
this blessing comes,
take its hand.
Get up.
Set out on the road
you cannot see.
This is the night
when you can trust
that any direction
you go,
you will be walking
toward the dawn.
—Jan Richardson
from The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief
© Jan Richardson from The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief. janrichardson.com
20th December: Tuesday in Advent Week Four
All-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
19th December: Monday in Advent Week Four
Prepare our hearts to give you room. Lord we don’t want to be like the Innkeeper. Let us make room for you, not only at the holidays but through every season of our lives. Let our hearts make space for you to live, guide and teach us each day. May the spirit of Christmas remain in our hearts all year.
Courtesy of Pray with Confidence website.
Prepare our hearts to give you room. Lord we don’t want to be like the Innkeeper. Let us make room for you, not only at the holidays but through every season of our lives. Let our hearts make space for you to live, guide and teach us each day. May the spirit of Christmas remain in our hearts all year.
Courtesy of Pray with Confidence website.
18th December: Fourth Sunday in Advent
God, it is not easy for us to wait, but that is what this season is about. Waiting is what Advent calls us to do. Help us to wait patiently for you. As we wait, help us not to remain stagnant. Guide us to the top of the mountain to see the beauty of the world, and aid us in running down the mountain to proclaim Your handiwork.
During this Advent season of waiting for the birth of Christ, be especially with those in need of your healing and your comfort. Let them feel that you are waiting with them, strengthening them. Help us know your loving presence, help us feel your gracious peace.
God of hope, God of peace, God of joy — as Advent moves forward, our minds are filled with thoughts of Christmas. During this emotionally charged season of Advent, we wait in anticipation for a baby born in a stable. We anticipate true living in a hope that only you can provide, O God of joy. We pray this Advent that as you created the world, you might yet again create the hope, peace, joy and love that our hearts need immediately.
This season, offer us signs of hope in our earthly siblings in Christ. So, open us now, O God, to one another. Open us to hope that others bestow upon us. Open us now, O God. Open up our hearts to the joy that awaits us this special season. Open our hearts to the real joy of Christmas — a joy that doesn’t come in the presents we find under our tree, but in the presence of your light in our lives, the presence of your grace and the presence of your love.
Courtesy of The Presbyterian Outlook website.
God, it is not easy for us to wait, but that is what this season is about. Waiting is what Advent calls us to do. Help us to wait patiently for you. As we wait, help us not to remain stagnant. Guide us to the top of the mountain to see the beauty of the world, and aid us in running down the mountain to proclaim Your handiwork.
During this Advent season of waiting for the birth of Christ, be especially with those in need of your healing and your comfort. Let them feel that you are waiting with them, strengthening them. Help us know your loving presence, help us feel your gracious peace.
God of hope, God of peace, God of joy — as Advent moves forward, our minds are filled with thoughts of Christmas. During this emotionally charged season of Advent, we wait in anticipation for a baby born in a stable. We anticipate true living in a hope that only you can provide, O God of joy. We pray this Advent that as you created the world, you might yet again create the hope, peace, joy and love that our hearts need immediately.
This season, offer us signs of hope in our earthly siblings in Christ. So, open us now, O God, to one another. Open us to hope that others bestow upon us. Open us now, O God. Open up our hearts to the joy that awaits us this special season. Open our hearts to the real joy of Christmas — a joy that doesn’t come in the presents we find under our tree, but in the presence of your light in our lives, the presence of your grace and the presence of your love.
Courtesy of The Presbyterian Outlook website.
17th December: Saturday in Advent Week Three
Emmanuel, Our world waits in darkness longing for Your light.
In the midst of darkness, enkindle our hope.
As we long for lasting peace in the midst of war, Be with us.
As we long for families to be reunited, Be with us.
As we long for enemies to be reconciled, Be with us.
As we long for cures and healings, Be with us.
As we long for decent jobs and economic security, Be with us.
As we long for love and community, Be with us.
Fulfill the deepest longings of your people and
Dispel the darkness in our hearts and in our world.
Let your Word ignite the hope the world needs to bring to life your love and
justice. Amen.
Courtesy of the Joliet Franciscan Sisters, Illinois.
Emmanuel, Our world waits in darkness longing for Your light.
In the midst of darkness, enkindle our hope.
As we long for lasting peace in the midst of war, Be with us.
As we long for families to be reunited, Be with us.
As we long for enemies to be reconciled, Be with us.
As we long for cures and healings, Be with us.
As we long for decent jobs and economic security, Be with us.
As we long for love and community, Be with us.
Fulfill the deepest longings of your people and
Dispel the darkness in our hearts and in our world.
Let your Word ignite the hope the world needs to bring to life your love and
justice. Amen.
Courtesy of the Joliet Franciscan Sisters, Illinois.
December 16th: Friday in Advent Week Three
During Advent, we are called to seek the light of Christ, even in the midst of darkness. The prophets assure usthat the darkness will not overcome us. They call us to watch for the light. We are called to wait, to hope, to trust in God.
As we make this Advent journey in faith, we invite God’s light to dispel the darkness. We ask for the grace to let go of any burdens or barriers that we may carry in our hearts as we search for the light. We ask for the gift of attentiveness that we may truly see God’s loving presence within and among us. May our faith we renewed so that we might be light for others.
Courtesy of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame, Montreal.
During Advent, we are called to seek the light of Christ, even in the midst of darkness. The prophets assure usthat the darkness will not overcome us. They call us to watch for the light. We are called to wait, to hope, to trust in God.
As we make this Advent journey in faith, we invite God’s light to dispel the darkness. We ask for the grace to let go of any burdens or barriers that we may carry in our hearts as we search for the light. We ask for the gift of attentiveness that we may truly see God’s loving presence within and among us. May our faith we renewed so that we might be light for others.
Courtesy of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame, Montreal.
December 15th: Thursday in Advent Week Three
God of majesty and power
Who spoke and this world was
Who breathed and this world lived
Who counts the hairs upon our head
Who sees our thoughts and reads our hearts
Who loves us more than we deserve
How can we not bring today
Our sacrifice of praise?
For in the child at Bethlehem
Lies the promise of intimacy
With a Saviour who would die even for me
And the promise of an eternity
In which to praise you more each day
God of promise we praise your name, Amen.
Courtesy of Faith and Worship website.
God of majesty and power
Who spoke and this world was
Who breathed and this world lived
Who counts the hairs upon our head
Who sees our thoughts and reads our hearts
Who loves us more than we deserve
How can we not bring today
Our sacrifice of praise?
For in the child at Bethlehem
Lies the promise of intimacy
With a Saviour who would die even for me
And the promise of an eternity
In which to praise you more each day
God of promise we praise your name, Amen.
Courtesy of Faith and Worship website.
December 14th: Wednesday in Advent Week Three
“I will sing of your steadfast love,
O Lord, forever; with my mouth, I will proclaim
your faithfulness to all generations.”
(Psalm 89:1)
Loving God, we seek you.
We know your love is a gift
offered freely to all people.
Loving God, we seek you.
In this season of Advent, renew in us
a commitment to share your love with everyone.
As we prepare for the birth of your son, Jesus,
may your love be a comfort to us now and in the new year.
Loving God, we seek you.
May your love fill our hearts
And grace our lips so that we might
bring love to a world that so desperately needs it.
Amen.
Courtesy of Bread for the World website.
“I will sing of your steadfast love,
O Lord, forever; with my mouth, I will proclaim
your faithfulness to all generations.”
(Psalm 89:1)
Loving God, we seek you.
We know your love is a gift
offered freely to all people.
Loving God, we seek you.
In this season of Advent, renew in us
a commitment to share your love with everyone.
As we prepare for the birth of your son, Jesus,
may your love be a comfort to us now and in the new year.
Loving God, we seek you.
May your love fill our hearts
And grace our lips so that we might
bring love to a world that so desperately needs it.
Amen.
Courtesy of Bread for the World website.
13th December: Tuesday in Advent Week Three
Father, just as You sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus, help me to clear the path in my heart, too. Show me the distractions that block me from the worship of You this Advent. Lord, I await Your coming! As I celebrate the first Advent––the first coming––I look toward the day when I will see You face to face. I imagine what it will be like. Give me a heart, Lord, that looks for Your coming on a daily basis. Help me to live my life where I'm constantly seeking Your presence. My offering to You today is my righteous life for I know I am only clean because of Jesus. Show me how I must be refined, purified, and forgiven today. Give me the strength to ask for forgiveness and then change my ways.
Courtesy of Christianity.com.
Father, just as You sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus, help me to clear the path in my heart, too. Show me the distractions that block me from the worship of You this Advent. Lord, I await Your coming! As I celebrate the first Advent––the first coming––I look toward the day when I will see You face to face. I imagine what it will be like. Give me a heart, Lord, that looks for Your coming on a daily basis. Help me to live my life where I'm constantly seeking Your presence. My offering to You today is my righteous life for I know I am only clean because of Jesus. Show me how I must be refined, purified, and forgiven today. Give me the strength to ask for forgiveness and then change my ways.
Courtesy of Christianity.com.
12th December: Monday of Advent Week Three
Come Jesus; come, give power to light and to good; come where falsehood, ignorance of God, violence and injustice predominate. Come Lord Jesus, give power to the good in the world and help us to be bearers of your light, peacemakers, witnesses of the truth. Come, Lord Jesus!
Pope Benedict XVI
Come Jesus; come, give power to light and to good; come where falsehood, ignorance of God, violence and injustice predominate. Come Lord Jesus, give power to the good in the world and help us to be bearers of your light, peacemakers, witnesses of the truth. Come, Lord Jesus!
Pope Benedict XVI
11th December: Third Sunday in Advent
Lord God, in this special season, I come to You on behalf of those whose holidays are mournful reminders of loss or lack in their lives.
I pray for those who, perhaps like Mary and Joseph upon their arrival in Bethlehem, feel forgotten or excluded over the holidays.
I pray for those who, perhaps like the shepherds, are required to work while others sleep or celebrate.
I pray for those who, perhaps like Simeon and Anna, have outlived many friends and loved ones.
I pray for those who, like the magi, are traveling or far from home over the holidays.
I pray for those who, like the holy family who escaped to Egypt, are refugees in foreign lands.
I pray also for prisoners, patients, or invalids, along with those who are stranded or sidelined during this blessed season.
I cry out to You who “is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18 NIV). I ask You to be close to and shower Your favor on all of the above, in the name of Jesus, Your beloved and only-begotten Son, amen.
May God bless you richly as you offer a Christmas prayer for the needs of others. Remember those who experience loneliness and sorrow while others are celebrating with family and friends.
Courtesy of Guideposts website.
Lord God, in this special season, I come to You on behalf of those whose holidays are mournful reminders of loss or lack in their lives.
I pray for those who, perhaps like Mary and Joseph upon their arrival in Bethlehem, feel forgotten or excluded over the holidays.
I pray for those who, perhaps like the shepherds, are required to work while others sleep or celebrate.
I pray for those who, perhaps like Simeon and Anna, have outlived many friends and loved ones.
I pray for those who, like the magi, are traveling or far from home over the holidays.
I pray for those who, like the holy family who escaped to Egypt, are refugees in foreign lands.
I pray also for prisoners, patients, or invalids, along with those who are stranded or sidelined during this blessed season.
I cry out to You who “is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18 NIV). I ask You to be close to and shower Your favor on all of the above, in the name of Jesus, Your beloved and only-begotten Son, amen.
May God bless you richly as you offer a Christmas prayer for the needs of others. Remember those who experience loneliness and sorrow while others are celebrating with family and friends.
Courtesy of Guideposts website.
10th December: Saturday in Advent Week Two
Holy Father, Lord of all creation, you have power and might over heaven and earth. You speak a word and mountains move. You whisper and the sea obeys. You turn darkness into light, and transform broken things into beauty. Lord, help me to see the wonder in your creation, to find the joy amidst the trials. For in you I can rejoice and be glad. No matter what the world brings, I can find joy in you. Help me to celebrate with joy and gladness this Christmas, for in you all things are made new. You are working to restore and remake all the broken pieces of my life and of this world. In you I will be glad and rejoice forever, delighting in you with joy. All this I pray through Jesus Christ, your only son, you greatest gift to this world. Amen.
Prayer and Possibilities
Prayer and Possibilities
9th December: Friday in Advent Week Two
Reflection by St Cyril of Jerusalem
We do not preach only one coming of Christ, but a second as well, much more glorious than the first. The first coming was marked by patience; the second will bring the crown of a divine kingdom. At the first coming he was wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. At his second coming he will be clothed in light as in a garment. In the first coming he endured the cross, despising its shame; in the second coming he will be in glory, escorted by an army of angels. We look then beyond the first coming and await the second. At his first coming we said: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. At the second we shall say it again; we shall go out with the angels to meet the Lord and cry out in adoration: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Prayer
Let us pray that we make take Christ’s coming seriously.
All-powerful God,
increase our strength of will for doing good
that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming
and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven,
where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
We do not preach only one coming of Christ, but a second as well, much more glorious than the first. The first coming was marked by patience; the second will bring the crown of a divine kingdom. At the first coming he was wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. At his second coming he will be clothed in light as in a garment. In the first coming he endured the cross, despising its shame; in the second coming he will be in glory, escorted by an army of angels. We look then beyond the first coming and await the second. At his first coming we said: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. At the second we shall say it again; we shall go out with the angels to meet the Lord and cry out in adoration: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Prayer
Let us pray that we make take Christ’s coming seriously.
All-powerful God,
increase our strength of will for doing good
that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming
and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven,
where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
8th December: Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Image: Detail from Madonna and Child with Saints by Parmigianino. Courtest of the National Gallery, London.
My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour
Because He hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His name.
And His mercy is from generation unto generations to them that fear Him.
He hath shewed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.
He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away.
He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy.
As He spoke to our fathers; to Abraham and his seed forever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour
Because He hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His name.
And His mercy is from generation unto generations to them that fear Him.
He hath shewed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.
He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away.
He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy.
As He spoke to our fathers; to Abraham and his seed forever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
7th December: Wednesday in Advent Week Two
Father, in the wilderness of the Jordan,
you sent a messenger to prepare people’s hearts
for the coming of your Son.
Help me to hear his words and repent of my sins,
so that I may clearly see the way to walk,
the truth to speak,
and the life to live for him,
Our Lord Jesus Christ.
AMEN
Father, in the wilderness of the Jordan,
you sent a messenger to prepare people’s hearts
for the coming of your Son.
Help me to hear his words and repent of my sins,
so that I may clearly see the way to walk,
the truth to speak,
and the life to live for him,
Our Lord Jesus Christ.
AMEN
6th December: Tuesday in Advent Week Two
Reflect on all his ways. He is holy and he is gracious. There is no one like him. The wonder is that Jesus, God’s perfect light, loves you. Jesus calls you to get closer to him, closer to the light. Is the light dim because you are so far from him?
Do you need to draw nearer to Jesus?
Prayer
Lord, I thank you for your love. Forgive me for the times when I wander away from you. Rather than basking in the warmth and brightness of you I see you dimly at a distance. Lord, help me to draw closer today, to seek you and to worship you and know again your affection for me. Amen.
Reflect on all his ways. He is holy and he is gracious. There is no one like him. The wonder is that Jesus, God’s perfect light, loves you. Jesus calls you to get closer to him, closer to the light. Is the light dim because you are so far from him?
Do you need to draw nearer to Jesus?
Prayer
Lord, I thank you for your love. Forgive me for the times when I wander away from you. Rather than basking in the warmth and brightness of you I see you dimly at a distance. Lord, help me to draw closer today, to seek you and to worship you and know again your affection for me. Amen.
5th December: Monday in Advent Week Two
Lord God, we adore you because you have come to us in the past.
You have spoken to us in the Law of Israel.
You have challenged us in the words of the prophets.
You have shown us in Jesus what you are really like.
Lord God, we adore you because you still come to us now.
You come to us through other people and their love and concern for us.
You come to us through men and women who need our help.
You come to us as we worship you with your people.
Lord God, we adore you because you will come to us at the end.
You will be with us at the hour of death.
You will still reign supreme when all human institutions fail.
You will still be God when our history has run its course.
We welcome you, the God who comes.
Come to us now in the power of Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Caryl Micklem, "Contemporary Prayers for Public Worship"
You have spoken to us in the Law of Israel.
You have challenged us in the words of the prophets.
You have shown us in Jesus what you are really like.
Lord God, we adore you because you still come to us now.
You come to us through other people and their love and concern for us.
You come to us through men and women who need our help.
You come to us as we worship you with your people.
Lord God, we adore you because you will come to us at the end.
You will be with us at the hour of death.
You will still reign supreme when all human institutions fail.
You will still be God when our history has run its course.
We welcome you, the God who comes.
Come to us now in the power of Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Caryl Micklem, "Contemporary Prayers for Public Worship"
4th December: Second Sunday in Advent
Heavenly Father,
You are the God who gives peace. This second week of Advent, cause us to remember that because of Jesus we can experience a Christmas free from turmoil and chaos. Regardless of our circumstances or our situations, you offer us peace that passes understanding.
That first Christmas, when you sent your Son, you sent the one who is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Even the angels cried out, ‘Glory to God in the Highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’ The angels knew your purpose. They know the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love that Christmas held. They recognized the fullness of God was wrapped in the tiny flesh of an infant as you humbled yourself and dwelt among us. Emmanuel. God with us as the baby Jesus.
That baby would grow to be the same God-man, Jesus, who would again humble himself to face death on a cruel cross as payment for our sin. He would triumphantly defeat sin and death and hell in order to cancel our sin debt and reconcile us to you, Father.
That is why you sent your Son, Jesus. Because you loved us, you sent Jesus, that we might believe in Him and receive eternal life. He was the first Christmas gift and still remains the only gift worth truly having.
You exalted Him and gave him a name above all names. Every knee in heaven and earth and under the earth must bow to the name of Jesus. The winds and waves obey Him. He rules and reigns as king over all. No situation or circumstance that we find ourselves in is a match for Jesus.
We are able to have the fullness of peace in our hearts on Christmas day, and every day, because that same Jesus sits at your right hand in heaven and makes intercession for us. Not only that, but he paid our sin debt. He loves us with a love that is unfathomable. Nothing can separate us from His love. He is good and his plans for us are good.
Father, this second week of Advent, keep us in perfect peace as our mind stays on the truth of your powerful love. Thank you for your mighty, sovereign hand. Help us to trust fully in you and rest in the peace that you offer.
It’s in the precious name of Jesus we pray.
Amen.
Written By: Bobbie Schaeperkoetter
Source: Crosswalk.com
3rd December: Saturday of Advent Week One
In this Advent of expectation
draw us together in unity,
that our praise and worship
might echo in these walls
and also through our lives.
In this Advent of expectation
draw us together in mission,
that the hope within
might be the song we sing,
and the melody of our lives.
In this Advent of expectation
draw us together in service,
that the path we follow
might lead us from a stable
to a glimpse of eternity.
From the Faith & Worship website.
draw us together in unity,
that our praise and worship
might echo in these walls
and also through our lives.
In this Advent of expectation
draw us together in mission,
that the hope within
might be the song we sing,
and the melody of our lives.
In this Advent of expectation
draw us together in service,
that the path we follow
might lead us from a stable
to a glimpse of eternity.
From the Faith & Worship website.
wDecember:Friday of Advent Week One
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'
Amen.
Henri Nouwen
"In our woundedness, we can become sources of life for others." Henri Nouwen was a renowned Dutch Catholic priest, author of numerous books, and beloved confidant to many troubled souls. He could give spiritual guidance to those seeking his help because he was so acutely aware of his own brokenness and the demons he struggled with: despair to the point of suicidal thoughts, his sexuality (he was gay but lived a celibate life), his tremendous need for affirmation from others.
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'
Amen.
Henri Nouwen
"In our woundedness, we can become sources of life for others." Henri Nouwen was a renowned Dutch Catholic priest, author of numerous books, and beloved confidant to many troubled souls. He could give spiritual guidance to those seeking his help because he was so acutely aware of his own brokenness and the demons he struggled with: despair to the point of suicidal thoughts, his sexuality (he was gay but lived a celibate life), his tremendous need for affirmation from others.
2nd December:Monday in Advent Week One
"Beloved in Christ, in this season of Advent, let it be our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, to see the Babe lying in a manger. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by his holy Child, and let us look forward to the yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and songs of praise…"
(Far from being an ancient tradition, the service of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge, was conceived in the trenches of the first world war. A shy young chaplain in Cambridge, Eric Milner-White was quick to volunteer when war broke out in 1914. He traded the quiet life of Cambridge for the squalor and violence of the French front line. He served as an army chaplain during the First World War on both the Western Front and in the Italian Campaign. He returned home from the war on January 5, 1918, and was made the Dean of King’s College, Cambridge. Within his first year of being home, on Christma Eve 1918, he introduced the service to the college chapel, along with his beautiful bidding prayer, and and began an annual tradition).
(Far from being an ancient tradition, the service of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge, was conceived in the trenches of the first world war. A shy young chaplain in Cambridge, Eric Milner-White was quick to volunteer when war broke out in 1914. He traded the quiet life of Cambridge for the squalor and violence of the French front line. He served as an army chaplain during the First World War on both the Western Front and in the Italian Campaign. He returned home from the war on January 5, 1918, and was made the Dean of King’s College, Cambridge. Within his first year of being home, on Christma Eve 1918, he introduced the service to the college chapel, along with his beautiful bidding prayer, and and began an annual tradition).
4th December: Wednesday in Advent Week One
Almighty God, fulfill our desire and kindle our hearts by your Spirit, that being filled with the oil of your grace, we may shine as bright lights at the coming of your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
This short Advent preface is from the 8th century Gelasian Sacramentary, the 2nd oldest liturgical text in the Western world.
Source of this version: modified from A Century of Collects, selected and translated by Atwell M. Y. Baylay, 1913.
This short Advent preface is from the 8th century Gelasian Sacramentary, the 2nd oldest liturgical text in the Western world.
Source of this version: modified from A Century of Collects, selected and translated by Atwell M. Y. Baylay, 1913.
29th November: Tuesday in Advent Week One
Lord God,
only you can see into my heart and know
that under all the busy-ness of my life,
there is a deep longing
to make this Advent one that welcomes you
more deeply into my own life.
My heart desires the warmth of your love
and my mind searches for your Light
in the midst of the darkness.
Help me to be a peacemaker this Advent
and to give special love to those
who disagree with me.
Give me the strength and courage
to forgive those who have hurt me.
Help me to free my heart
from the prison of my anger and hurt.
From Creighton Online Ministries: One Prayer a Day for Advent
only you can see into my heart and know
that under all the busy-ness of my life,
there is a deep longing
to make this Advent one that welcomes you
more deeply into my own life.
My heart desires the warmth of your love
and my mind searches for your Light
in the midst of the darkness.
Help me to be a peacemaker this Advent
and to give special love to those
who disagree with me.
Give me the strength and courage
to forgive those who have hurt me.
Help me to free my heart
from the prison of my anger and hurt.
From Creighton Online Ministries: One Prayer a Day for Advent
28th November: Monday in Advent, Week One
Reflect
"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light."Let's begin our advent journey thinking about those who are living in darkness. They may be on the other side of the world from us, or right next door. There are many reasons for walking in darkness - fear, loneliness, oppression, depression, poverty or violence are just a few. God sees those in darkness and becomes light for them.
Prayer
Lord, we name before you those we know who are going through times of darkness. We think of them and ask, gracious God, that you may bring them light, hope, love and direction. In Jesus' name, Amen.
This prayer is from Daily Advent Prayers, provided by the Evangelical Alliance of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light."Let's begin our advent journey thinking about those who are living in darkness. They may be on the other side of the world from us, or right next door. There are many reasons for walking in darkness - fear, loneliness, oppression, depression, poverty or violence are just a few. God sees those in darkness and becomes light for them.
Prayer
Lord, we name before you those we know who are going through times of darkness. We think of them and ask, gracious God, that you may bring them light, hope, love and direction. In Jesus' name, Amen.
This prayer is from Daily Advent Prayers, provided by the Evangelical Alliance of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
27th November: The First Sunday in Advent
